Bouncing off the walls because next deer season is so far away?

It's a common problem for hardcore whitetail hunters, who just can't wait to get back on stand. But there's a way to diminish this epidemic of cabin fever, if not totally eliminate it: by getting your whitetail "fix" at the nearest hunting show.

Twenty years ago, only a handful of such events were held annually. The Dixie Deer Classic, Texas Hunters Extravaganza and Minnesota Deer Classic were among the first to demonstrate that if you can assemble enough trophy deer racks, seminar speakers and hunting-industry exhibitors in one place, the public will respond favorably. Now deer-oriented events are held annually in many places across North America.

Most shows of interest to whitetail hunters are scheduled for one of two main periods: late winter to early spring or mid- to late summer. This year will be no exception, based on information currently available from show producers.

Here's a list of the upcoming events of which North American Whitetail has received information. All are open to the general public; check each show's Web site for details on admission fees, driving directions, etc. To notify us of future deer shows not listed here, please e-mail here.

JULY

Tenneessee Deer & Turkey Expo
July 30-Aug. 1
Tennessee Expo Center, Smyrna
Web site: www.deerinfo.com

AUGUST

Atlanta Buckarama
Aug. 5-8
Atlanta Expo Center, Atlanta, GA
Web site: www.gwf.org

Hunters Extravaganza
Aug. 6-8
George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Web site: www.ttha.com

Hunters Extravaganza
Aug. 13-15
Joe & Harry Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
Web site: www.ttha.com

Perry Buckarama
Aug. 20-22
Georgia Agricenter, Perry, GA
Web site: www.gwf.org

Hunters Extravaganza
Aug. 20-22
Amon Carter Hall, Will Rogers Center, Ft. Worth, TX
Web site: www.ttha.com